The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team (WCSART) reported that its members had to recently rescue two elderly women from a hot tub who were vacationing at a cabin in the Red River Gorge area of Kentucky.
Why It Matters
In a post on Facebook, WCSART said it was posting about the story as “a cautionary and educational moment” about hot tub safety, including a maximum soak time of 15 to 30 minutes and ensuring that anyone getting into the hot tub is able to exit it later, especially if they suffer some disability or pre-existing condition.
“Hyperthermia and Heatstroke can be fatal, and this story could have ended much differently without the quick thinking of all those involved with this rescue,” the group advised in its post.
WCSART describes itself as “Kentucky’s premier volunteer technical rescue team, operating in the beautiful Red River Gorge.” The group specializes in locating missing people and rescues from various dangerous situations, including high-angle rope and swift water situations, according to The New York Times.
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What To Know
WCSART received a call for help on August 20 at around 8:40 p.m. local time, saying in its Facebook post that it was a “first” for the group.
Some women, all over the age of 80, were vacationing in a cabin and made use of its hot tub when two of them suffered from hyperthermia due to pre-existing conditions.
The women in the tub had become overheated and were unresponsive to their friends. One person remained in the water to make sure the women didn’t slip below the surface and drown while another called 911 for help.
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) was not immediately available when contacted, but the property caretakers and WCSART, along with Wolfe County Sheriff’s office, arrived on the scene to help.
By the time WCSART arrived, the women had been removed from the tub and one of them was responsive, while the other was deemed to be in critical condition. Luckily, one WCSART team member was also an EMT and was able to assess both.
The team put the critical woman into a cold shower, which WCSART augmented by applying ice to the woman as well, while the woman who had proven more responsive received cold compresses and ice until she could move outside, where the team hosed her down.
The two women began to recover after 20 to 30 minutes of the cold water treatment, at which point they were transferred to EMS and taken to a local hospital.
What People Are Saying
Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team in a post on its website wrote: “Hot tubs offer a fantastic way to relax but always remember to limit soak times. The recommended maximum immersion time is between 15-30 minutes. Ensure you are capable of exiting the hot tub once you enter, especially if you have any sort of disability. Hyperthermia and Heatstroke can be fatal, and this story could have ended much differently without the quick thinking of all those involved with this rescue.”